Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/162438
drivesmart Moose on the Move How a change in wildlife population is putting motorists at risk by Lawrence Herzog M oose are returning to parts of Saskatchewan where they haven't been seen in big numbers for 30 to 40 years. Even in the short-grass prairie regions of the south, it's not uncommon to spot the tall ungulates roaming the fields in search of food and the company of others. And that means more hazards for motorists. "When the first settlers moved into Saskatchewan, there were lots of elk and moose, and they were a great meat source," says Darrell Crabbe, executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF). "That knocked the moose population down significantly. But more recently, with no predators, lots of suitable habitat and excellent food sources, they've come back in big numbers." As a result, moose-vehicle collisions have increased by 66 per cent since 2008, reports Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI). The problem has become so pronounced that, for the first time, SGI began tracking moose claims separately from other wildlife collisions last year. Between November 1, 2012, and April 20, 2013, some 221 collisions with moose resulted in claims totalling $1.16 million. The moose's physiology also compounds the problem. Weighing up to 600 kilograms and long-legged, they often end up coming through the windshield when a vehicle hits them, endangering the lives of drivers and passengers. Since 2006, at least 10 people have died in collisions with moose on Saskatchewan roads. Last year, RCMP Const. Derek Pineo died after his cruiser hit a moose on Hwy. 14 just outside of Wilkie. Collisions with moose increase during rutting season in the fall months. That's when moose are on the move, seeking mates, Crabbe says, with bulls often travelling great distances in their single-minded search for cows. "Moose are not very roadwise," he observes. "They often have little or no regard for their own safety when it comes to crossing highways. Some bulls have even been known to become aggressive enough iStock p38-39_DriveSmart_WWS.indd 39 to attack vehicles that approach too closely." Saskatchewan's moose population is controlled through hunting, with licenses handed out in the big game draw. The number of licenses granted has increased the last few years (up by another 10 per cent in the southern region this year) and the provincial Ministry of Environment is monitoring the situation. Public awareness also plays a role, and the SWF, with financial help from SGI and the Ministry of Environment, has again undertaken its province-wide Moose on the Loose campaign. Print material, radio and television public service announcements, and highway billboards serve to remind motorists to slow down, stay alert and watch for wildlife on or near the road. The University of Saskatchewan, with support of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and SWF, has launched a four-year research program to identify key habitats for farmland moose and to understand their movements. Researchers are using satellite-based GPS collars to track the hourly movements of 50 moose through to 2017. Hunters are being asked to refrain from shooting collared animals. Regular updates on the moose research project are available online at facebook.com/Saskatchewan FarmlandMooseProject. "We're working to identify areas with a high risk of moose-vehicle collisions," says Dr. Ryan Brook, moose project director at the University of Saskatchewan. "We are hopeful our findings will help in developing a long-term moose management strategy." of motorists and moose • Pay particular attention at dusk, all night and dawn, and especially during the fall and early winter months. • Scan the roadsides for moose, and watch for the "white socks" at the bottoms of their legs. • Remember that moose have a darker coat and, because they are taller, their eyes don't reflect light as easily as deer, so they're harder to see. • Be aware of the moose habitat hot spots on roads you frequently travel, and remember that they frequent coulees and valleys. • Slow down when you see moose crossing the road, as others could follow. • Never assume that any wildlife will move predictably; animals often stop or dart back the way they came. • Remember that other vehicles may be behind you, and resist the urge to slam on your brakes suddenly. Try to reduce speed gradually and use your emergency flashers to warn other drivers. • Keep control of your vehicle. Chances of injury are greater if you swerve into oncoming traffic or hit any stationary objects such as a guardrail, fencepost or tree. • Sources: Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, SGI Westworld >> fa l l 2 0 1 3 39 13-08-19 8:35 AM